Instagram vs. Reality

The first image is basically the ideal Dexcom graph. It depicts steady, on-target blood sugars for hours.

It makes the image next to it look that much uglier. The second picture shows blood sugar that rose rapidly over a short amount of time and flattened out at a level so high that it exceeds the Dexcom maximum number.

Instagram: The social networking site that promotes flawlessness. You scroll through a feed and see images that convey society’s notions around perfection. And it’s annoying. The rational part of you knows that, surely, the stunning blonde swimsuit model on your feed probably has cellulite, only you never see it because it’s airbrushed and filtered away. That’s why it’s equally unrealistic to share nothing but the “perfect” blood sugars with the diabetes community. Diabetes is FAR from being sunshine-y and unicorn-y all the time.

The reality: Diabetes is up-and-down, mentally and physically. It’s not always going to behave the way you want it to, even if you’re doing all the right things and trying your best. That’s why I like sharing the good and the bad – it makes the victories that much sweeter, and the less-than-triumphant moments more educational.

lol I stopped chasing perfection years ago, as a diabetic and just life in general. Friends call me funny all the time but looks aren’t everything. I almost never have a flat level blood sugar on my Dexcom (never shared captures of the screen). My Dexcom is normally at least close but I have it off by nearly 100 point at times. It helps to keep in mind that it reads intertissual fluid not actual blood sugar so it is actually what your sugar level was about 20 to 25 minutes ago (I’ve timed mine out to this number). Its also why I get nervous when it drops fast and reads 100. If it is dropping 90 point an hour and it was 100 20 minutes ago, logic says it is currently somewhere between 60 and 80. Now its time to freak out and scour the kitchen for a sugar bump. Another 20 minutes and it will be under 60 for sure.